Here is a little tutorial for propagating Zoa's and Palys. Some of the pictures of the actual cuttings did not come out so a little short on pictures in that area. Will update after the next fragging session.
Why propagate, grow and sell your corals?
- Helps preserve and limit what is harvested from natural reefs.
- A aquacultured coral is typically hardier and will likely retain there colors unlike wild corals
- Tank raised corals are less likely to carry pests
- In some cases you can make a little money to help fund the hobby but don't count on it.
- It can be very fun and rewarding.
Before starting note that - Zoanthids and Paly's can be toxic. Protecting your mouth, eyes and cuts is a must.
Tools: Before starting gather up all the tools you think you may need. A bit of planning can go a long way. One of the most important things are clean tools. Zoanthids are commonly connected by tissue. It will need to be cut or will rip when breaking the rock. Just like surgery, dirty utensils will cause bacteria infections which can be very difficult to cure. If you think you will frag a lot consider getting a frag kit which contains surgical grade stainless steel tools. They are easy to clean and can be wiped down with alcohol pads before making lacerations.
Some of the basics include:
- Cup or bowl to hold your coral
- Towels
- Sharp Scissors
- Side or Bone Cutters
- Substrate to mount the corals
- Super Glue Gel
- Scalpels
- eye protection
- Latex gloves
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Selection: Zoanthids are fairly easy to propagate however, If this is your first time make your selection carefully. Go for one of your less expensive color morphs and perhaps one that is growing on thin or brittle substrate. I chose a rock that had three different zoa's for this fragging session.
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Frag Rack Frag racks are pretty easy to build. You can buy a bag of wire ties and a light reflector at any home improvement store. I made a small one to hold the frag plugs during the session that could also fit the tank afterwards.
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I like loctite brand super glue gel but any kind will likely work. I also like to put the glue on the plugs or substrate about 5 minutes ahead of time so it starts to thicken a bit.
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Next remove the coral from the tank and place it in your cup or specimen container filled with tank water.
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Cutting the coral is the tricky part. For zoas, you don't want to remove it from its substrate. Instead cut the substrate and leave the zoanithid attached. Most reef rocks can be cut fairly easy with bone cutters. Sometimes the rock is thick and may require a large tool or even a screwdriver and hammer used like a chisel to break the rock. (Unfortunately this part is short on pictures.) My rock was thin so it was easy to cut between each zoanthid with the bone cutters. In the picture below there are two zoanthids and the red lines are where I cut between them; making two frags. Commonly after the rock is cut or broke, two zoanthids will still be connected with tissue. In this case some sharp scissors or scalpel can be used to separate. You don't want to pull them apart because it will tear and destroy the coral.
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Below you can see the zoanthids attached to its original rock which is glued to the frag plug.
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Once you have all of your frags made and back in the tank consider putting them close to the front glass for a couple of weeks where you can easily monitor for a bacteria infection or fungus. I also like to give them a little bit more current than usual.
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Happy Fragging!
I cut all the rock and plugs with the stainless steel bone cutters that come in the frag kit. The only thing I use a dremel for is Acans and Favias. That is just preference and either will likely work fine.
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